ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL
CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS
12
COOLING EQUIPMENT
An air handling system cools by moving air across a coil
containing a cooling medium (e.g., chilled water or a
refrigerant). Figures 10 and 11 show air handling systems that
use a chilled water coil and a refrigeration evaporator (direct
expansion) coil, respectively. Chilled water control is usually
proportional, whereas control of an evaporator coil is two-
position. In direct expansion systems having more than one
coil, a thermostat controls a solenoid valve for each coil and
the compressor is cycled by a refrigerant pressure control. This
type of system is called a “pump down” system. Pump down
may be used for systems having only one coil, but more often
the compressor is controlled directly by the thermostat.
TEMPERATURE
CONTROLLER
SENSOR
CONTROL
VALVE
CHILLED
WATER
SUPPLY
CHILLED
WATER
COIL
COOL AIR
CHILLED
WATER
RETURN
C2707-2
Fig. 10. System Using Cooling Coil.
D
X
TEMPERATURE
CONTROLLER
SENSOR
COOL AIR
C2708-1
EVAPORATOR
COIL
SOLENOID
VALVE
REFRIGERANT
LIQUID
REFRIGERANT
GAS
Fig. 11. System Using Evaporator
(Direct Expansion) Coil.
Two basic types of cooling systems are available: chillers,
typically used in larger systems, and direct expansion (DX)
coils, typically used in smaller systems. In a chiller, the
refrigeration system cools water which is then pumped to coils
in the central air handling system or to the coils of fan coil
units, a zone system, or other type of cooling system. In a DX
system, the DX coil of the refrigeration system is located in
the duct of the air handling system. Condenser cooling for
chillers may be air or water (using a cooling tower), while DX
systems are typically air cooled. Because water cooling is more
efficient than air cooling, large chillers are always water cooled.
Compressors for chilled water systems are usually
centrifugal, reciprocating, or screw type. The capacities of
centrifugal and screw-type compressors can be controlled by
varying the volume of refrigerant or controlling the compressor
speed. DX system compressors are usually reciprocating and,
in some systems, capacity can be controlled by unloading
cylinders. Absorption refrigeration systems, which use heat
energy directly to produce chilled water, are sometimes used
for large chilled water systems.
While heat pumps are usually direct expansion, a large heat
pump may be in the form of a chiller. Air is typically the heat
source and heat sink unless a large water reservoir (e.g., ground
water) is available.
Initial and operating costs are prime factors in selecting
cooling equipment. DX systems can be less expensive than
chillers. However, because a DX system is inherently two-
position (on/off), it cannot control temperature with the
accuracy of a chilled water system. Low-temperature control
is essential in a DX system used with a variable air volume
system.
For more information control of various system equipment,
refer to the following sections of this manual:
— Chiller, Boiler, and Distribution System
Control Application.
— Air Handling System Control Applications.
— Individual Room Control Applications.
DEHUMIDIFICATION
Air that is too humid can cause problems such as
condensation and physical discomfort. Dehumidification
methods circulate moist air through cooling coils or sorption
units. Dehumidification is required only during the cooling
season. In those applications, the cooling system can be
designed to provide dehumidification as well as cooling.
For dehumidification, a cooling coil must have a capacity
and surface temperature sufficient to cool the air below its dew
point. Cooling the air condenses water, which is then collected
and drained away. When humidity is critical and the cooling
system is used for dehumidification, the dehumidified air may
be reheated to maintain the desired space temperature.
When cooling coils cannot reduce moisture content
sufficiently, sorption units are installed. A sorption unit uses
either a rotating granular bed of silica gel, activated alumina
or hygroscopic salts (Fig. 12), or a spray of lithium chloride
brine or glycol solution. In both types, the sorbent material
absorbs moisture from the air and then the saturated sorbent
material passes through a separate section of the unit that
applies heat to remove moisture. The sorbent material gives
up moisture to a stream of “scavenger” air, which is then
exhausted. Scavenger air is often exhaust air or could be
outdoor air.
Summary of Contents for AUTOMATIC CONTROL
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Page 6: ...ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL vi ...
Page 11: ...ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS 1 CONTROL SYSTEMS FUNDMENTALS ...
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Page 66: ...PSYCHROMETRIC CHART FUNDAMENTALS 56 ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL ...
Page 128: ...ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATION CONTROL ELECTRIC CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS 118 ...
Page 158: ...MICROPROCESSOR BASED DDC FUNDAMENTALS 148 ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL ...
Page 210: ...ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS 200 ...
Page 440: ...ENGINEERING MANULA OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL INDIVIDUAL ROOM CONTROL APPLICATIONS 430 ...
Page 516: ...ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL GENERAL ENGINEERING DATA 506 Notes ...
Page 517: ...ENGINEERING MANUAL OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL GENERAL ENGINEERING DATA 507 Notes ...
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